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The current ‘horror renaissance’ being seen in the landscape of modern cinema is seemingly kicking into overdrive. Although horror films have yet to win in prestige categories at the most heralded film awards, The Oscars and Golden Globes specifically, efforts like Get Out, Hereditary, and Nosferatu among others have garnered nominations and seemingly legitimized these films in terms of critical response. This has then emboldened auteur film makers to push the envelope even further to cement the viability of the genre as far as industry acclaim.
2024 was a banner year for horror and saw a plethora of films capture the audience’s attention. The projects ranged from smaller budget films, to entries in some burgeoning franchises, to stand alone streaming hits that took over social media thanks to visionary directors and unforgettable acting performances.
Among the hit horror movies, the consensus standouts of the year apart from Egers' Nosferatu seemed to be Longlegs, Alien Romulus, The Substance, Maxxxine, Cuckoo, and Smile 2.
Bring Her Back, Together, and 3 other upcoming horror films
The 2025 horror slate received a jump-start thanks to Nosferatu’s release on December 25. Robert Eggers’ re-telling of this iconic story of obsession and weakness in the face of one’s darker urges, through the perspective of the physical manifestation of terror, vampire Count Orlok, was met with rave reviews and audience approval.
Next on the slate was Companion, a wickedly satirical, meta and horror-fuelled account of jailbroken s*x bots going on a killing spree orchestrated by poorly equipped criminal minds. The film boasted an intriguing core concept and talented cast including Jack Quaid, Sophie Thatcher, Rupert Friend and Lukas Gage.
Following its release, came Oz Perkins’ The Monkey, his much anticipated follow-up to Longlegs. The adaptation of Stephen King’s 1980 short story stars Theo James, Tatiana Maslany, and Elijah Wood and has also enjoyed a positive reception overall.
2025 has already produced some great works of horror, in a bid to counter any prior misconceptions that wound up diminishing its inherent artistic nature. While the year has started strong, the best is arguably on the way, and here are 5 upcoming horror films you do not want to miss.
Bring Her Back
Bring Her Back was first loosely announced in 2024 by brothers and rising directing tandem Daniel and Michael Philippou. The Australian film makers, fresh off the heels of their debut feature, Talk to Me, have confirmed they will be delivering their sophomore project in 2025. While details for the project are mostly under wraps, a short synopsis has been shared alongside a teaser trailer.
"A brother and sister uncover a terrifying ritual at the secluded home of their new foster mother."
Sally Hawkins of The Shape of Water will serve as the film’s lead, and the cast is rounded out largely by lesser known Australian performers giving them a chance to shine on the international stage similar to how their first film was cast. Bring Her Back is set to release in theatres on May 30.
28 Years Later
Neon’s Together is also well-deserving of a spot on the list. Michael Shanks directs real life couple Dave Franco and Alison Brie in a body horror film which also marks his filmmaking debut. The synopsis is slightly vague, but enthralling nonetheless,
“After moving to the countryside, a supernatural encounter starts to transform a couple's love, their lives, and their flesh.”
The unquestionable chemistry between the film’s leads and mysterious story, paired with positive responses from its presence on the festival circuit, make this one a can’t miss for all the true horror aficionados out there for sure.
This post-apocalyptic horror film will be the third entry in the 28 Days Later film series, whose first entry was helmed by esteemed British director Danny Boyle. It will mark Boyle's return as director, writer Alex Garland, and cinematographer Anthony Dod Mantle, all of whom worked on the original 28 Days Later film, much to the delight of horror fans. Cillian Murphy, the first film’s protagonist, will also be returning, but this time as an executive producer.
The film will star Jodie Comer, Ralph Fiennes, Aaron Taylor-Johnson and Jack O’Connell and is set for a June 20 release. The official synopsis reads as follows,
“It's been almost three decades since the rage virus escaped from a biological weapons laboratory. Still living in a ruthlessly enforced quarantine, some have found ways to exist amid the infected. One such group of survivors lives on a small island connected to the mainland by a single, heavily defended causeway. When one of them decides to venture into the dark heart of the mainland, he soon discovers a mutation that has spread to not only the infected, but other survivors as well.”
Keen horror fans have already marked their calendars for this upcoming release, but the appeal is universal, especially as the subject matter is somewhat reflective of the coronavirus pandemic that struck the global population 5 years ago.
The Ritual
Based on a shocking true story of a young girl’s possession, David Midell’s The Ritual is certainly a film for audiences to get behind. Starring Dan Stevens, Al Pacino, Ashely Greene, Patricia Heaton and Abigail Cowen, the plot goes as follows,
“Two priests -- one questioning his faith and one reckoning with a troubled past -- must put aside their differences to save a possessed young woman through a difficult and dangerous series of exorcisms.”
This will be Pacino’s first return to horror since 1997’s cult classic The Devil’s Advocate. His presence as part of a strong ensemble cast coupled with the always watchable subject matter set the film apart from others releasing in the calendar year. The Ritual drops on April 17.
Together
Neon’s Together is also well-deserving of a spot on the list. Michael Shanks directs real life couple Dave Franco and Alison Brie in a body horror film which also marks his filmmaking debut. The synopsis is slightly vague, but enthralling nonetheless,
“After moving to the countryside, a supernatural encounter starts to transform a couple's love, their lives, and their flesh.”
The unquestionable chemistry between the film’s leads and mysterious story, paired with positive responses from its presence on the festival circuit, make this one a can’t miss for all the true horror aficionados out there for sure.
The Conjuring: Last Rites
Last on the list is The Conjuring: Last Rites. This will be the 9th film in one of horror’s most important modern franchises to date and serve as a direct sequel to 2021’s The Conjuring: The Devil Made Me Do It. Patrick Wilson and Vera Farmiga will reprise their roles of married paranormal investigators and authors Ed and Lorraine Warren with James Wan and Peter Safran also returning to produce. In it,
“Paranormal investigators Ed and Lorraine Warren take on one last terrifying case involving mysterious entities they must confront.”
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While a minimal amount of information is circulating as per official details on the film, audiences everywhere have extremely high hopes as this instalment will cap off the series. Last Rites is set to hit the big screen on September 5, although the final release date may still be subject to change based on the film’s post-production process.
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